Though it' seems like a longshot, the Flyers are trying to sign free-agent winger Brendan Shanahan, who is being courted by the Devils and Blues, among others.

   Shanahan, 39, who has scored 680 career goals, had a lengthy discussion with Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren today.

Holmgren lauded Shanahan’s efforts as a two-way player and noted that his defense would help the Flyers.
“He gets it,” the general manager said.
Holmgren said he never discussed salary with Shanahan, who scored 23 goals with the Rangers last season. With the Flyers only about $700,000 under the NHL’s $56.7 million cap, the Flyers would have to be creative to sign Shanahan _ even if he signed for a bargain-basement price of, say, $1 million.
“It’s just very exploratory, on Brendan’s part and on our part,” Holmgren said. “But if you have an opportunity to add a good player who doesn’t cost you any assets, you have to look into it. He’s an experienced player and has been on three Stanley Cup champions and his presence on the ice and in the locker room would be invaluable.”

Stay tuned.

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Gagne honored. The NHL named left winger Simon Gagne the league’s third star of the week after he totaled three goals and five assists in three games. “It is always flattering and fun being recognized, especially with me coming back from a tough injury last year and being able to play again,” said Gagne, who missed most of last season because of a concussion. 
  Gagne has scored eight goals for the season, placing him in a tie for fourth in the league entering tonight.

 Asked if he felt 100 percent healthy, Gagne said: “I don’t know. The more I play, the more I will get comfortable and be able to be more of myself. But right now, I have to say I am feeling pretty good. I am very happy the way things are going. I am getting better and better, and more comfortable. ....I am getting close — there is still room for improvement. Last week, I really started to get that feeling I used to have when I was playing at my best.”
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Sharing his past. Center Glen Metropolit read stories aloud and discussed how he overcame challenges — such as growing up in foster care in underprivileged neighborhoods — with children from the Police Athletic League of Philadelphia’s homework program yesterday.
He also emphasized the importance of education, literacy and involvement.
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Breakaways. The Flyers reassigned forwards Steve Downie and Jared Ross to the Phantoms. Both were scoreless this season. … Entering tonight, Jeff Carter was tied for second in the NHL with nine goals…..Marty Biron’s 3.79 goals-against average is 39th in the league….A bright spot Sunday: The Flyers won 66 percent of their faceoffs _ the second time all season they had outdrawn their opponents….Andreas Nodl (lower-body injury), Ossi Vaananen (upper-body injury), and Darroll Powe (slight concussion) are day-to-day.

Contact staff writer Sam Carchidi at 215-854-5181 or scarchidi@phillynews.com. Read his Flyers blog, Broad Street Bull, at http://www.philly.com/phillyblogs/inqflyersreport.